D. S. Choi

Serum adiponectin concentrations predict the developments of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in elderly Koreans

objective  To determine whether low serum adiponectin concentrations are able to predict the future developments of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome using the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) criteria. We also investigated the stability of adiponectin levels and the relationships between baseline adiponectin levels and changes in the parameters related to the metabolic syndrome over a period of 3 years.

Relationship between sleep duration and the metabolic syndrome: Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey 2001

Objectives:Previous studies have revealed that both short and long sleep durations are linked to obesity, hyperglycemia and hypertension. We evaluate the relationship between sleep duration and the metabolic syndrome using representative national survey data from the Korean population.Methods:We analyzed data from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. The average amount of sleep per night was categorized as: ⩽5, 6, 7, 8 and ⩾9 h. Those reporting 7 h per night served as a reference group. In this cross-sectional study, the data of 4222 participants were finally analyzed.Results:A majority of the components of the metabolic syndrome demonstrated U-shaped patterns based on sleep duration. Although the prevalences of abdominal obesity and hypertension were highest in subjects who slept ⩽5 h per night, those of hyperglycemia and high triglyceridemia were highest in subjects who slept ⩾9 h per night. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome also exhibited U-shape pattern based on sleep duration. More components of the metabolic syndrome were highly associated with sleep duration in subjects under the age of 60 compared to those over the age of 60. Subjects who slept ⩽5 h per night demonstrated the highest risk for the metabolic syndrome (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.33–2.26, P<0.001). Subjects who slept ⩾9 h per night exhibited increased risk for the metabolic syndrome even after adjustment of other risk variables (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.17–2.45, P=0.006).Conclusions:Both short and long sleep durations are related to increased risk of the metabolic syndrome and its components in the Korean population, although adjustment for risk factors attenuates their relationship. Subjects reporting sleep duration of 7 h demonstrated the lowest prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.

Implication of lipocalin-2 and visfatin levels in patients with coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVES Visfatin and lipocalin-2 are novel adipokines associated with insulin resistance (IR) and obesity-related metabolic disorders. We compared lipocalin-2 and visfatin concentrations between patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and control subjects and evaluated their association with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS We examined serum visfatin, lipocalin-2 levels, and cardiovascular risk factors in 91 subjects (49 patients with angiographically confirmed CHD versus 42 age- and gender-matched control participants). RESULTS Circulating lipocalin-2 levels were significantly higher in patients with CHD compared with the control subjects (82.6+/-38.7 ng/ml versus 43.8+/-27.8 ng/ml; P<0.001). However, visfatin levels were not significantly different between patients with CHD and control subjects. Serum lipocalin-2 levels were positively associated with weight (r=0.26; P=0.036), fasting insulin (r=0.36; P=0.003), and IR (r=0.33; P=0.007), whereas these levels showed a negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r=-0.30; P=0.016) after adjustment for gender and body mass index. However, visfatin levels were not associated with any variables of the metabolic syndrome. The multiple regression analysis showed that lipocalin-2 levels were independently associated with HDL cholesterol and IR (R2=0.199). Furthermore, the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, IR, and lipocalin-2 levels were independently associated with CHD. CONCLUSIONS Serum lipocalin-2 levels were significantly elevated in patients with CHD and were independently associated with CHD. The present findings suggest that the measurement of serum lipocalin-2 levels may be useful for assessing CHD risk.

Serum Selenoprotein P Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: Implications for Insulin Resistance, Inflammation, and Atherosclerosis

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE The dysregulation of hepatokines may be associated with the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. A recent study has suggested that selenoprotein P (SeP), a novel hepatokine, may play a role in the regulation of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. We examined the relationship between circulating SeP levels and clinical parameters associated with insulin resistance in humans. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS We compared serum SeP concentrations in 100 subjects with diverse glucose tolerance statuses. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between SeP and cardiometabolic risk factors including insulin resistance, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and carotid intima-media thickness. RESULTS Serum SeP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes than those with normal glucose tolerance (all P < 0.01) and decreased in a stepwise manner [1032.4 (495.9-2149.4) vs. 867.3 (516.3-1582.7) vs. 362.0 (252.5-694.5), P = 0.004]. In addition, overweight and obese subjects had significantly increased SeP levels compared with lean subjects (P = 0.002). Spearmans partial correlation analysis adjusted for age and gender showed a significant relationship between SeP and cardiometabolic factors including body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, aspartate aminotransferase, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, in multiple regression analyses, SeP showed an independent association with carotid intima-media thickness as well as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, even after adjustment for other confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Circulating SeP concentrations were elevated in patients with glucose metabolism dysregulation and were related to various cardiometabolic parameters including insulin resistance, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.

A Ubiquitous Chronic Disease Care system using cellular phones and the internet.

Aims  The rapidly increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is an important challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. To improve the quality and efficiency of chronic disease care, we investigated the effectiveness and applicability of the Ubiquitous Chronic Disease Care (UCDC) system using cellular phones and the internet for overweight patients with both Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Prevalence and trends of metabolic syndrome in Korea: Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey 1998–2001

Background:  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major international health problem. Limited information is available about the prevalence of MetS in Asia, especially in Korea.

Effect of exercise training on A-FABP, lipocalin-2 and RBP4 levels in obese women.

Objective  Lipocalin family proteins, including adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein (A‐FABP), lipocalin‐2 and retinol‐binding protein 4 (RBP4), have recently been identified as novel adipokines associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. We have evaluated the effect of exercise training on lipocalin family proteins and inflammatory markers.

Serum retinol-binding protein 4 levels are elevated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective  Retinol‐binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a recently identified adipokine that is elevated in the serum in several insulin‐resistant states. We investigated the relationship between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and serum RBP4 in nondiabetic adults.

The association between the ratio of visceral fat to thigh muscle area and metabolic syndrome: the Korean Sarcopenic Obesity Study (KSOS)

Objective  A relationship between visceral fat accumulation and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been established. However, the effect of a relative increase in visceral fat and a decrease in muscle mass on metabolic disorders has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the ratio of visceral fat to thigh muscle area (VMR) and MetS in Korean adults.

Factor analysis of the metabolic syndrome among elderly Koreans—the South-west Seoul Study

Aims  To examine the relationship between the components of the metabolic syndrome and to explore whether insulin resistance unifies the clustering of components of the metabolic syndrome among urban elderly Koreans using exploratory factor analysis.